Thoughts on medicine in sports

September 19, 2009

Quick Hitters: Track star on suicide watch, coach on trial

Remind me, what was this supposed to accomplish? The results of the IAAF "investigation" to "determine" Caster Semenya's "gender" were unbelievably leaked to the press. Reports that she is a "hermaphrodite" (do we need more air quotes to convey my intended sarcasm?) have resulted in her needing to be on constant suicide watch. Because of the slippery nature of gender and the public scrutiny she'd be subjected to, Semenya was destined to be the loser from the moment this witch hunt began. If athletes are at high risk for depression and suicide when their identity as a competitor is threatened, imagine the impact when one's gender identity is threatened - while the whole world watches.

Coach responsibility. Kentucky high school football coach David Jason Stinson was found not guilty in the heat stroke death of one of his players, 15 year old Max Gilpin, last August. What I hope comes out of this tragedy is not what liability do coaches have but rather what responsibility they have. If coaches are going to enjoy the mythic role our society grants them - educators, molders of men, a leader who happens to be a coach - then part of deserving that role is to step up and take an active part in keeping athletes healthy. Kentucky is not taking any chances:

Kentucky lawmakers this year passed legislation that led to a
four-hour online course for coaches on emergency planning and
recognition; temperature-related illnesses; head, neck and facial
injuries; and first aid.

Jefferson County Public Schools
also now require all athletes and at least one parent to watch a
40-minute video that touches on everything from dietary supplements to
bacterial infections. Local high school coaches must attend a seminar
on using positive reinforcement when dealing with students.

Here in North Carolina, the HSAA has taken similar steps to educate parents and coaches with mandatory slides about concussions and heat illness added to the required eligibility presentation before each season.

The coaches who attended our medical crisis management workshop here at the WFU Center for Applied Learning were great, really throwing themselves into being a part of the team that is responsible for the safety of their athletes. I think they realized that they could make a critical difference by recognizing dangerous situations, contacting emergency medical services, providing basic life support, providing crowd control, insuring EMS access, and assisting with equipment needs.